After hearing Ning Zhou talk about Li Yifei and their history, Xiao Huimin couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.
Li Yifei and the Meng family behind her likely had no idea of the true power of the Xiao family in Beicheng. Even across different cities and circles, they still had ways to ensure the Meng family would never had a chance to rise again.
And now, it wouldn’t even require such drastic measures—Yan Sui wouldn’t let them off the hook first.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have a good talk with Yan Sui.”
Xiao Huimin didn’t plan to discuss too much of this with Ning Zhou. He pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back, not wanting her to be too upset.
“The news of Nuo Nuo’s return must remain confidential for now. This time… let’s just say it’s for the sake of our third brother…”
Xiao Huimin’s words were laden with hidden implications. If he were to spread such rumors, not to mention how the elite circles of Haicheng and Beicheng would react, the Yán family in Licheng should be overjoyed.
Yan Sui’s sudden targeting was unexpected. The Xu family didn’t intervene, and the patriarch of the Yán family was naturally quite wary. If he were to clash head-on with Yan Sui, he couldn’t guarantee he would come out on top.
He had already negotiated with Xiao Huimin several times. Although he hadn’t received a very specific response yet, he had been waiting for the Xiao family to make their move. He believed that the Xiao family would be the main force in dealing with the Yan family and Yan Sui.
Having secretly observed the Yan family for years, he knew He Wan and, inevitably, Xiao Zi. With the old master Xiao still alive, he was quite certain that the Xiao family would retaliate, though the extent of their retaliation remained to be seen. But now, with Xiao Huimin spreading such rumors, it would undoubtedly create a significant misconception for Yán Yunsheng.
The Xiao family truly lived up to their reputation. With the family patriarch, Xiao Huimin, personally coming to Haicheng to negotiate with Yan Sui, it seemed they were about to go all out.
Once such a misunderstanding took root, Yán Yunsheng’s decisions would be greatly skewed. With a little manipulation from Yan Sui, the Yán family might be wiped out from Licheng.
If Xiao Huimin hadn’t brought this up, Ning Zhou wouldn’t have been so angry.
“Third brother? Your third brother had someone stab Nuo Nuo!” Ning Zhou said bitterly, pushing Xiao Huimin away and looking at her eldest son, Xiao Zi’ang. “Go and retrieve the fruits I sent him right now. I’d rather feed them to pigs than give them to him.”
Ning Zhou had never spoken such harsh words in all these years. Now, she was filled with thorns, wishing she could stab all those who had harmed Meng Ting to death.
Ning Zhou didn’t hide her anger and murderous intent. Her tone grew even colder, “Also, tell those doctors that I want him to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.”
Xiao Huimin looked at Ning Zhou, then at the equally grim faces of Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo. He hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“I’ll handle this. Don’t get involved.”
Although he was now the patriarch of the Xiao family, there was still the old master Xiao, who had been the family patriarch for decades, above him. He could allow the recognition of Meng Ting, who had been lost outside, but he wouldn’t allow them to do anything to Xiao Zi for Meng Ting’s sake.
Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo were still too inexperienced. It was better for him to handle it personally.
Ning Zhou nodded upon hearing this, her misplaced resentment towards Xiao Huimin slightly easing. “We made a mistake once; we can’t afford to make another.” They hadn’t protected Meng Ting well, which led to him being lost outside and suffering so much hardships. Now that they had finally found him, they naturally had to stand up for him, even Xiao Zi couldn’t be spared.
“Yes, Madam, I understand. I’ll listen to you.”
Xiao Huimin pulled Ning Zhou back into his arms and continued to coax her. If he really made Ning Zhou angry or heartbroken, Meng Ting would probably complain about him being slow again.
***
At the Yan residence, Yan Yu was still accompanying He Yue and hadn’t come upstairs yet. Yan Manjia and Zhen Han had already come up. After having dinner with Yan Sui and Meng Ting, Zhen Han returned to the basement to continue his work, while Yan Manjia went to the kitchen to help Nanny Wang prepare some food for when He Yue woke up.
After their usual evening walk, Yan Sui took Meng Ting to the study.
Meng Ting sat on the sofa, holding Maoqiu and playing with his phone, while Yan Sui handled some matters. Soon, Wang Feng reported the news that Xiao Huimin had spread.
Yan Sui’s lips curled into a faint smile; he quickly grasped Xiao Huimin’s implication. In fact, as long as the Xiao family didn’t intervene too early, Yan Sui was confident of securing a steady victory, even if it came at some cost—a price he deemed worthwhile.
Now that Xiao Huimin was willing to assist him, Yan Sui saw no reason to refuse. Why expend unnecessary effort when things could be made easier?
“Yán Yunsheng…” Yan Sui pondered the name, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. This man had been scheming behind the scenes for so many years, and now it seemed his patience was wearing thin. Well then, he was ready to give him a big surprise.
“What do you mean by giving birth or not[mfn]生不生 (shēng bù shēng): T/N: misunderstanding on Meng Ting’s part. The ‘sheng’ in Yán Yunsheng 闫韞生 (Yán Yùnshēng) means to be born; to give birth; life; to grow.[/mfn]…” Meng Ting let go of Maoqiu and suddenly leaned in. “Who’s going to have a baby? Auntie Manjia and Dr. Gu Li?”
Meng Ting’s imagination ran wild; he can even connect the word ‘sheng’ (life) to Yan Manjia and Gu Li… And his gossipy demeanor of his… clearly, he had been led astray by Zhen Han, Gu Lang, and the others.
“Who told you that…” Yan Sui pulled Meng Ting closer, planting a kiss on his lips before wrapping him in an embrace.
Meng Ting kissed Yan Sui back before replying, his reasoning surprisingly sounding somewhat reasonable. “In our family, only Auntie Manjia is a woman, so she’s the only one who can give birth…”
“Also, Dr. Gu Li likes Auntie Manjia.”
Yan Sui’s brow arched slightly upon hearing this. He realized that Meng Ting’s daily life at home was quite eventful, and there were many things he knew that Yan Sui didn’t. He asked another question, “And how did you find that out?” Could Meng Ting suddenly understood what Gu Li was thinking?
“I saw Dr. Gu Li looking at Auntie Manjia, so I asked him, and then Dr. Gu Li told me,” Meng Ting replied, nuzzling Yan Sui’s cheek. “I know my limits; I won’t meddle unnecessarily.”
Whether Gu Li and Yan Manjia still had a future together was up to them.
“So, do you think they might already be together without me knowing, and planning to have a baby?”
Meng Ting was still fixated on the word ‘sheng’ that Yan Sui had mentioned.
Yan Sui gently pinched Meng Ting’s cheek. “I don’t know, but even if they really get together, it won’t be that quick.”
During this period, Gu Li was busy preparing for the surgery, and Zhen Han was staying at home all day. Even if Gu Li really wanted to pursue Yan Manjia, he wouldn’t do it while Zhen Han was around. It wasn’t that Zhen Han would necessarily stop him, but both he and Yan Manjia would likely be looked down upon. How could they even think about starting a relationship under the disdain of their son?
“Oh,” Meng Ting responded, his tone not particularly regretful. He glanced at Yan Sui’s open computer. “How much longer do you have to work?”
“Are you tired?” Yan Sui looked at his computer and documents. If he wanted to keep working, he could stay busy until tomorrow morning. But now, for Meng Ting’s sake and his words ‘Don’t grow old so quickly’, he had already decided not to push himself so hard anymore.
“No, I just think Dad He should be awake by now. I want to go see him. Are you coming?”
After talking with Yan Sui for so long, Meng Ting finally got to the main point.
“Let’s go together,” Yan Sui said, closing the computer and tidying up his things. Then he took Meng Ting’s hand and led him out of the study, downstairs, and towards the basement.
***
When they arrived, He Yue had just woken up. Yan Yu was holding a cup of water, trying to feed him with the food Yan Manjia and Nanny Wang had prepared nearby.
He Yue’s mind had probably just starting to clear up; his brows were slightly furrowed, and he seemed very uncomfortable. He didn’t even bother to pay attention to the small spoon that Yan Yu had brought to his lips to feed him water.
“Ah Yue, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I’ll call Dr. Gu Li in.”
Seeing He Yue like this, Yan Yu grew anxious and was about to get up when he noticed He Yue’s eyes turning red.
“Ah Yu, I… I can feel pain…”
For over twenty years, he had felt nothing below his thighs. But now, he could feel pain. He closed his eyes, tears sliding down from the corners—tears of joy and sorrow.
Yan Sui patted Meng Ting’s shoulder and then let go of his hand. He went next door to call Dr. Gu Li and Dr. Bart over. Meng Ting also stepped forward, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t know how to comfort He Yue.
He glanced at Yan Yu and whispered a reminder, “You can give Dad He a hug or a kiss. That way, he won’t feel so bad.”
When he felt bad, Yan Sui would do that for him, and it always made him feel better. He thought it might be the same for He Yue.
Yan Yu was just as moved as He Yue, which left him momentarily stunned. Then, after being gently reminded by Meng Ting, he glanced at Meng Ting, then leaned down to softly embrace He Yue. “Ah Yue, Ah Yue… You’ll get better.”
Meng Ting watched Yan Yu and nodded slightly. He stepped back to make room for Dr. Gu Li and Dr. Bart, who had just entered. Then, he returned to Yan Sui’s side and took his hand.
After the surgery, He Yue was weak. After the brief moment of excitement, he fell asleep again. Dr. Gu Li and Dr. Bart examined him and confirmed he was fine. One of them stayed to keep watch for the night, while the other went back to rest and would return the next day to switch.
He Yue needed close care for the next few days. In three to five days, when his condition improved, he could move back to his room on the first floor to recuperate.
As for Yan Yu, there was no way he would leave He Yue and go back to sleep. Uncle Xiao had a small bed brought into the surgery room so Yan Yu could rest when he got tired.
“Dad, make sure to rest. Dad He still needs you,” Meng Ting reminded Yan Yu before leaving with Yan Sui.
After being led by Yan Sui for a while, Meng Ting muttered again, “Dad is still quite obedient, all things considered.”
Meng Ting suddenly felt a sense of accomplishment because Yan Yu had agreed to most of what he said.
Yan Sui glanced back at Meng Ting’s proud expression and couldn’t help but smile. He pulled Meng Ting closer and said, “Ting Ting is the most obedient.”
“Of course, I’m the most obedient, especially to you.”
They didn’t go back to the study; instead, they headed straight to the bedroom. Yan Sui helped Meng Ting wash the parts that could be washed and wiped the rest with a towel. By the time Meng Ting was satisfied, Yan Sui was drenched in sweat. He carried Meng Ting back to bed and went to the bathroom to take a cold shower.
When he returned, Meng Ting’s eyes were fluttering open and shut, clearly exhausted but still determined to wait for him.
“I’m back. Let’s sleep.”
Yan Sui lay down and embraced Meng Ting, who widened his eyes slightly.
“No, you said we’d kiss again tonight… I didn’t forget.”
Meng Ting leaned closer to Yan Sui, “Let’s kiss before sleeping. You can’t lie to me…”
How could Yan Sui possibly refuse such a request from Meng Ting? But the consequence of not refusing was that both of their showers would be for nothing.
As they kissed, Meng Ting became more energetic. He tugged at Yan Sui’s pants, though he didn’t manage to pull them off, his intention was clear enough.
Since it was fine yesterday, Meng Ting didn’t need to bring up Zhen Han or Gu Li to persuade Yan Sui today. Meng Ting’s hands continued to busy themselves with removing Yan Sui’s clothes, while Yan Sui’s kisses trailed from Meng Ting’s ear downward.
“Yan Sui, we have to stay together forever…” Meng Ting couldn’t help but emphasize again in the heat of the moment.
Life now was so beautiful that even Meng Ting felt it was somewhat unreal. He feared waking up to find himself back in that laboratory, without Yan Sui, without a home, without Maoqiu, without Dahuang, without anything.
Yan Sui leaned down and kissed Meng Ting’s slowly closing eyelids, “Mm, together.”
Yan Sui could sense Meng Ting’s unease that overshadowed his drowsiness. Words weren’t enough, so he had to prove through actions that they were indeed together.
Check out my completed & current project at my carrd. If you like my translation, you can buy me coffee at Ko-fi~ Thank you.
